Building Better Rural Places : Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Conservation and Community Development / Valerie Berton and Jennifer Butler.

This guide is written for those seeking help from federal programs to foster innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. The guide describes program resources in value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry, sustainable land management, and community development. Programs are included based upon whether they offer significant funding or technical assistance. The guide is organized by the type of assistance and resources that federal programs offer to support agricultural and forestry innovations. Sections cover: (1) research, information, new technologies, and extension education; (2) financing; (3) business management (including small farmer training); (4) marketing; (5) land and resource management and conservation; and (6) community and rural development. Along with a general overview of each resource, the guide explains what each program offers, gives specific examples of how the program has actually supported such work, describes uses and restrictions, presents eligibility information, and gives contact information. Additional programs, whose relevance may be limited to a small audience, can be found in a special section. The final section presents general information resources, including the Consumer Information Center and Catalog, the National Agricultural Library Information Resource Centers, and the USDA Rural Development Offices. (TD)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.